Mere rumours, say BJP leaders about Umesh Katti's exit from party

HUBBALLI: Dismissing reports about former minister Umesh Katti’s defection to the ruling Congress as mere rumours, leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Jagadish Shettar, and Pralhad Joshi, MP, said on Friday that none had any differences with the veteran legislator.

Mr Shettar told the media that rumours were triggered by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s visit to Mr Katti’s residence recently. In fact, Mr Katti has been active in the party and attended the recent winter session of legislature in Belagavi along with other BJP legislators. “Mr Katti has never expressed displeasure about the BJP or against any leaders of the party. 

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I will react further only after talking to Mr Katti about these reports,” he added.
He expressed confidence that the BJP would wrest power in Karnataka next year.

Meanwhile, mines and geology minister Vinay Kulkarni said Mr Umesh Katti has spoken the truth and expressed his frank opinion about the BJP being a divided house. The Congress would welcome Mr Katti, he added.